Explore the diverse flora and fauna on the Downs from season to season through personal observations and photographs

Thursday, 14 Aug 2025

Castor Bean Tick hitching a ride on my trouser leg

Butterfly numbers greatly reduced. Small Copper is now the dominant species. A few Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Small White (Pieris rapae), Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper still present. New insects added were Large Rose Sawfly (Arge pagana) and an unexpected passenger on my shorts after walking along the edge of the sheep enclosure, a Castor Bean Tick […]